FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky youths have multiple opportunities to participate in the arts this summer through camps sponsored by nonprofit arts organizations that are partners with the Kentucky Arts Council.

Summer activities, including music, visual art, crafts, dance, theater and more are available for children to discover the arts throughout the state during June, July and August. The arts council has published an online directory of arts camps available on its website with location, dates and contact information.

"Kentucky Arts Partners play many roles in their communities but maybe none more important than providing hands-on educational opportunities to children in their regions," said Lori Meadows, executive director of the arts council. "KAP organizations spent $8.9 million on arts education in fiscal year 2012 and served 1.4 million youths, including participants from all 120 Kentucky counties."

Camps listed in the directory are sponsored by arts organizations that receive unrestricted operating support from the arts council through the Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant.

"Their dedication to stimulating child development through the arts is paramount to supplementing arts education in the state and the kids have a great time while learning," said Meadows.

Many of the summer camps offer participants opportunities to get hands-on experience in their fields of interest.

The Broadway Workshop at The Carson Center in Paducah is a five-day musical theater camp for children ages 9 to 18. Classes are taught by theater professionals who work regularly in New York City. Acting, stage combat, dance and more are offered for all levels of talent.

Mary Katz, arts education and outreach director at the center, said the Broadway Workshop attracts talented youngsters from Paducah's four-state region, resulting in a group of diverse and motivated students who share a passion for theater.

"The Broadway Workshop at the Carson Center offers world-class training for young actors right here in the state of Kentucky," said Katz. "We are so fortunate to be able to offer this unique and complete experience of theater right here in our community."

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.